Spirits innovator and GRAMMY® award-winning musician Sammy Hagar and chef and restaurateur Guy Fieri today announced the appointment of David Szydlik as the new president and CEO of the duo’s Santo Spirits. David was formerly the Chief Operating Officer for Two Sons Imports, former owner of Cantera Negra Tequila. He assumes his new role as former Santo President and CEO Dan Butkus moves to a partner position within the company.
David joins Santo Spirits with more than 30 years of beverage industry experience, including spirits, beer and soda. During his six-year tenure at Two Sons Imports, he helped grow Cantera Negra from a start-up brand in four states to distribution in all 50 states, Canada and the Caribbean, leading to Deutsch Family Wine and Spirits acquiring 100% of the Cantera Negra brand in 2025.
Prior to Two Sons Imports, David was the President of Purity Vodka and also held executive sales and operations positions at Pernod-Ricard, Coors Brewing Company and Coca-Cola Enterprises.
“David’s growth record with Cantera Negra Tequila and his deep distributor and retailer relationships built over the past several decades were key drivers for us bringing him on board to pilot the next phase for Santo,” said Hagar, a 30+ year-veteran of the tequila business. “The tequila category is undergoing a transitional shift as consumers gravitate towards brands that are authentic and transparent. Our credentials in this area, including championing our additive-free, time-honored production methods, are our calling card. David has the experience and insight to capitalize on these important attributes and take us to another level.”
“Following the purchase of Cantera Negra Tequila by Deutsch, I was looking for a new opportunity to take what I learned with that brand and apply it to another company doing things the right way,” said Szydlik. “The passion and knowledge Sammy and Guy bring to Santo Tequila is truly unmatched. They are the real deal, and I am honored to be able to join the team and contribute to their vision of offering consumers authentic, honest and damn good tequila.”
Santo Spirits was founded in 2017 with the launch of the world’s first tequila and mezcal blend, Santo Mezquila ($59.99 SRP), crafted solely from Blue Weber Agave and Espadin Agave (Angustifolia variety). The portfolio now includes award-winning Blanco ($39.99 SRP), Reposado ($49.99 SRP), Añejo ($69.99 SRP) and Blanco 110 Proof ($69.99 SRP) - all 100% Blue Weber Agave old-world-style, Highland tequilas. Santo products are certified additive free and are produced using sustainably grown agave.
Santo Spirits products are available nationwide in the United States, as well as in Mexico, Canada, Japan, South Africa, the Philippines, and online at santospirit.com. Santo Spirits is represented by Southern Wine and Spirits in 44 markets in the U.S.
About Santo Spirits
Santo Spirits was born from a decades-old friendship between Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Sammy Hagar and internationally renowned chef Guy Fieri. Having introduced the U.S. to super premium, 100% Blue Weber Agave tequila with his first brand back in 1996, Sammy teamed up with Guy in 2019 looking for one thing – bold, authentic flavor achieved through uncompromising quality. Of course, being Sammy and Guy, they also wanted to make the best tequilas in the world. Paramount to their vision, all Santo Spirits tequila products must be additive free and carefully crafted using time-honored traditional methods that allow the agave to shine through. Santo’s award-winning portfolio of Highland tequilas includes Blanco, Reposado, Añejo and 110-proof Blanco, along with Mezquila – the world’s first tequila and mezcal blend. For more information, please visit SantoSpirit.com.
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